Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

OPIC helps U.S. businesses in developing economies. All projects must have at least 25% U.S. equity interest. That is, 25% of the equity put into the project must
originate from U.S. businesses or individuals.

Visit -- www.opic.gov

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining U.S. government agency that supports U.S. investment in developing countries and emerging markets by managing risk with political risk insurance, providing
financing through direct loans and loan guaranties, and working with private capital through OPIC-supported funds.

As part of OPIC's outreach efforts to the small business community, we have created the Small Business Center (SBC) to help U.S. small businesses grow
in over 150 emerging markets around the world. OPIC recognizes that small
businesses face unique challenges in participating in the global
marketplace, such as: a lack of resources to pursue opportunities abroad,
concern over political risks, and the inability to find private sector
support. The SBC offers political risk insurance and financing to meet
these needs. U.S. businesses with annual revenues less than $35 million are
eligible for OPIC Small Business Center programs. Businesses with annual
revenues over $35 million and under $250 million are eligible for OPIC's
regular small business programs.
Under the SBC program, OPIC is generally able to offer up to $15 million in
political risk insurance coverage for up to 20 years. Insurance coverage includes protection against loss due to political violence such as war or terrorism, expropriation by a foreign government, and the inability to convert local currency and repatriate profits. For OPIC financing, projects must have at least 25 percent U.S. equity interest, and OPIC traditionally looks for a debt-to-equity ratio of 60/40.

SBC financing provides loan amounts of $100,000 up to $10 million, for up to 65 percent of the total project costs. OPIC looks to finance commercially viable projects that include: business plans with projected cash flow
statements that accurately reflect the market situation and business capabilities; total project costs along with sources and uses of funding; and sponsors or key management with an existing or historical track record
of success in the industry. In addition, for both insurance and finance, all projects are subject to OPIC's investment policy reviews to determine the project's potential impact on the U.S. economy and the environment.

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